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IBM: Great opportunities but bureaucratic

Senior Software Engineer
Current Employee
Has worked at IBM for less than 1 year
August 2, 2008
Austin, Texas
3.0
RecommendsDoesn't Approve of CEO
Pros

IBM provides a diverse set of opportunities across a wide spectrum of information technology, with considerable resources available when properly aligned.

There is the ability to work on significant projects and have a global impact.

The company has a long history and many creative and experienced professionals.

Cons

After being wined and dined touring China and Russia, CEO Palmisano came back to the US to talk about how "messy" Western democracies are and immediately began shifting jobs overseas at increasing rates, including selling the PC company to Lenovo. There is a large bureaucracy with lots of internal fiefdoms. The company has gone from respecting employees and striving for excellence to shooting for the middle ground across compensation and benefits. Work can be all-consuming, and the wrong immediate management can make life miserable.

Advice to Management

Currently at significant risk of destroying a great institution by ignoring the core values that built the long-term success of the company for short-term gains from outsourcing and compensation changes.

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